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Kol - VOICE - Golos

“The VOICES of

Minnesota’s Soviet Jews:

the Inspiration and the Film,”  

JCA’s guest post on TCJewfolk.com.

“When Adolf Hitler attacked the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on June 22, 1941, without a declaration of war, the USSR’s total losses — including troops and civilians — numbered more than 20 million people.” Read more

At Jewish Community Action's recent annual meeting,
former JCA Board Chair Steven Foldes persented this year’s
Wellstone Call to Justice Award to VOICE Leaders.
Read his words here.

The American VOICE of the Soviet Jews,

a new feature length film.

They survived World War II & the Holocaust.

They outlived Stalin’s barbarism.

They experienced the Cold War—from the other side.

Now, they are rebuilding their lives, right here in Minnesota.

These are their remarkable stories

Tuesday, June 8th, 7pm,

Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul

Free & open to all.

View the trailer.

Related events at Sabes Jewish Community Center, Minnesota

History Center, and Fort Snelling.

After previewing this new film, Lisa Gulya,

a VOICE volunteer, said this:
 

"If you think your identity is tough to cram into the few boxes

 the Census provides, try this: what do you call Jewish immigrants

from the Soviet Union who served in the Second World War and

now live in the Twin Cities? For now, let’s just call them the

subjects of The American VOICE of the Soviet Jews,

a 60-minute documentary.

It’s a lot to absorb in a single hour—war, famine, anti-Semitism—especially for those of you don't have degrees in history or Russian language. (Hint: you might want to read up on the Siege of Leningrad before you go). But regardless of how much of a World War II aficionado you are, you’ll leave the film with a sense of wonder – what other life stories lie quietly waiting in a Minneapolis high-rise, ripe for a documentary team’s or a curious grandchild’s discovery?

VOICE: Community Building Initiative represents a programmatic collaboration between the Sabes Jewish Community Center and Jewish Community Action, with complete funding by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, with the goal of engaging and connecting the Russian-speaking Jewish elderly community in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. This neighborhood includes a number of federally subsidized facilities that house a large of number of Russian-speaking immigrants.

With the current leadership of Lyudmyla Petrenko, VOICE provides programming opportunities for the Russian-speaking populations at Booth Manor, Nicollet Towers and Loring 100 to address the key concern of this group: social isolation from the broader Jewish and general communities. These programs are intended to reduce social isolation, build connections with the broader Jewish and general communities, and help ensure that the stories of Russian Jewish immigrants are shared with others who may learn from them. By allowing Russian-speaking elders to keep both their bodies and their minds active, the programs also help ensure both the physical and mental well-being of a vulnerable population.

Programming over the past two years has included:

• Regular English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes.

• Senior Fitness classes, held on-site at Booth Manor.

• Frequent Jewish holiday and music programming, which builds on a partnership between the Sabes JCC, JCA, and Temple Israel (which is located near Loring Park). These programs help reconnect Russian-speaking Jews with their cultural and religious heritage.

• Movie nights, with Russian-language movies and refreshments.

• Day trips and excursions (for those Russian-speaking seniors that are physically able to leave the neighborhood). These have included trips to the State Capitol, the Sabes JCC, and, most recently, a Lake Minnetonka boat cruise. Such trips help ensure that Russian seniors who are able remain active and involved in the community.

The residents feel that VOICE: Community Building Initiative, the new name of their program, best reflects the program’s purpose -- by participating in different events, community organizing, and leadership development, they are able to express their communal voice and enrich their lives.
 

Performers: Share your Voice with VOICE
We welcome musicians, singers, artists, and other performers who want to share their talents with the members of VOICE.
 

Community Organizing/Programming Internship - Learn more

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Lyudmyla Petrenko by email or at 612-867-8277. 

Read a VOICE diary by JCA volunteer David Zarkin